Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Departmental Budgets

Darren O'Rourke

63. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the capital, current and total 2023 budget allocation for residential and community retrofit programmes; the capital, current and total 2022 budget allocation for residential and community retrofit programmes, and the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation; the capital, current and total allocation under the 2022 Revised Estimates for residential and community retrofit programmes, and the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation; the capital, current and total allocation under the March Supplementary Estimates 2022 for residential and community retrofit programmes, and the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation. [48838/22]

Departmental Budgets

Darren O'Rourke

64. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the 2023 Budget allocations for each programme under subhead B4. [48839/22]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

65. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of the 13,800 homes forecasted to be brought to a building energy rating of B2 as part of the Budget 2023 allocation will be delivered under the better energy warmer homes scheme, the better energy homes scheme, the community energy grant scheme and the national home energy upgrade scheme; and the average cost of bringing homes to a BER of B2 for each of the schemes that has been used to underpin the overall target B2 output of 13,800. [48840/22]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

66. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of the 6,000 target free upgrades under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland energy poverty scheme announced as part of the Budget 2023 allocation are forecasted to be brought to a building energy rating of B2. [48841/22]

Building Energy Rating

Darren O'Rourke

67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of bringing a home to a BER of B2 under the better energy warmer homes scheme in 2022, inclusive of VAT. [48842/22]

Departmental Investigations

Michael Ring

68. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an investigation which was carried out on a board (details supplied) has been completed; if so, the outcome of the investigation; if he will provide a copy of the investigation to this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48862/22]

Energy Prices

Catherine Connolly

69. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied); if he will provide details of any engagement that he or his Department has had with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities with regard to the classification of customers as urban domestic customers or rural domestic customers; the methodology used in this classification; if he will provide details of any engagement that he or his Department has had with the CRU, or energy providers, concerning the reason that rural domestic customers pay higher standing charges than urban domestic customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48915/22]

Departmental Contracts

Bríd Smith

70. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48996/22]

Energy Prices

Ged Nash

71. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average household energy bill expected in 2022; the estimated energy bill for a household in 2023; the analysis that his Department has carried out to determine this; if he will publish that analysis; if he will confirm the rationale that informed the decision to set the credit at €600; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49032/22]

Energy Prices

Ged Nash

72. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which the €600 energy credits will be funded in 2022 and 2023; the spending programme through which these funds will be transmitted; if there will be supplementary estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49033/22]

Energy Prices

Ged Nash

73. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there will be measures this winter to claw-back the energy credit from those with holiday homes and second or third properties; if any consideration has been given to a clawback mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49034/22]

Recycling Policy

Róisín Shortall

74. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if all his Department's buildings have recycling arrangements in place; if not, the steps that are being taken to ensure that the recycling of workplace waste is facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49101/22]

Energy Policy

Brendan Howlin

147. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure by legislation or other means that tenants in multi-unit apartment complexes or buildings each have the right to choose their own electricity supplier and be able to change supplier without reference to other apartment occupiers or to their landlord; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47865/22]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

148. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if advice will be provided on a matter (details supplied) regarding grants for heat pumps in new builds for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47949/22]

Building Regulations

John McGuinness

149. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the building regulation SR54 will be amended to allow external insulation to be provided on solid stone walls, thereby allowing the insulation to be grant-aided by the SEAI warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48524/22]

Energy Policy

Ged Nash

150. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his proposals for a windfall tax on energy companies in a scenario in which no agreement is reached at an European Union level; if such proposals will be included in the Finance Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48538/22]

Energy Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

151. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that will be in place in future Government electricity credits to ensure persons who are on subsidiary meters, yet are paying bills on a full property, will be able to avail of the full grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47896/22]

Energy Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

152. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of apartments and studios in larger buildings that are on subsidiary meters to the main electricity account and therefore not entitled to the full electricity credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47897/22]

Electricity Generation

Seán Canney

153. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the low price being paid to electricity microgenerators through the feed-in tariff (details supplied); if he will introduce a scheme in which microgenerators will be incentivised to supply electricity to their neighbours, given this would be subject to low transmission and distribution costs and would avoid a situation where electricity supplied from power stations via the grid is subject to losses of 7 to 8%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47903/22]

Departmental Transport

Eoin Ó Broin

154. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of domestic flights for work purposes taken by him, Ministers of State in his Department and Department staff for each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [47912/22]

Electricity Generation

Neale Richmond

155. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on whether if incentives were to be introduced for microgeneration of electricity, more microgeneration would be encouraged and emissions and fossil fuel dependency would reduce; if he will consider this course of action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47971/22]

Public Sector Pensions

Chris Andrews

156. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the pension entitlements of a former employee (details supplied) of the Department of Post and Telegraphs. [48066/22]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

157. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide grant aid to homeowners to install radon barriers in older houses in areas with high levels of radon gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48124/22]

Climate Action Plan

Patricia Ryan

158. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of the projects that are being delivered under the just transition fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48141/22]

Departmental Policies

Eoin Ó Broin

159. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the proposal in the European Citizens’ Initiative (2021) 000004 to ban fossil fuel ads. [48164/22]

Public Sector Pensions

Robert Troy

160. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will approve the 2% pay rise for An Post pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48189/22]

Energy Infrastructure

Catherine Murphy

161. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to advance a district heating system in the city of Dublin; and his plans to legislate for a role for the climatic research unit in the context of existing district heating systems. [48192/22]

Departmental Staff

Sorca Clarke

162. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the whole-term equivalent staff by job title working in the geological survey division of his Department as of 1 January 2021 and 27 September 2022, in tabular form; the number of vacancies currently in this division; and when will these vacancies be filled, in tabular form. [48244/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

James Lawless

163. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48370/22]

Energy Policy

Martin Browne

164. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will confirm that no household will have their electricity turned off by their energy provider this winter (details supplied). [48406/22]

Public Sector Pensions

Duncan Smith

165. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of a pension entitlement for former workers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48444/22]

Electricity Supply Board

Ged Nash

166. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the projected dividend from the ESB in 2022 and 2023, respectively; if he has sought a specific figure from the ESB for windfall profits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48537/22]

National Broadband Plan

Carol Nolan

167. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the details of the funding his Department has allocated to date for the delivery of the national broadband plan; the projected expenditure required to fund the plan for 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48256/22]

Departmental Budgets

Darren O'Rourke

168. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total capital funding provided for his Department in 2022, broken down by programme; the expenditure profile at the end of September 2022 on each programme; if there is likely to be an underspend in any particular area; the reason for such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48601/22]

Departmental Budgets

Darren O'Rourke

169. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a subhead breakdown of the €513 million allocated to the energy transformation programme in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48603/22]

Departmental Budgets

Darren O'Rourke

170. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a subhead breakdown of the €143 million allocated to the climate action and environment leadership programme in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48604/22]

Departmental Budgets

Darren O'Rourke

171. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a subhead breakdown of the €110 million allocated to the circular economy development programme in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48605/22]

Departmental Budgets

Darren O'Rourke

172. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a subhead breakdown of the €272 million allocated to the connectivity and communications delivery programme in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48606/22]

Departmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

173. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the target number of retrofits per retrofit scheme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48607/22]

Electricity Generation

Darren O'Rourke

174. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of solar photovoltaic installations targeted for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48608/22]

Electricity Generation

Darren O'Rourke

175. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of installing solar photovoltaic panels on all schools as announced in budget 2023; the number of panels to be installed on each school; the timeframe for this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48609/22]

Energy Policy

Johnny Mythen

176. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a process for the electricity credits to be directly passed on to individual tenants who are in apartment blocks, with their own meters, but are registered through one meter-point-reference-number, usually with a landlord, or a county council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48615/22]

Electricity Generation

Emer Higgins

177. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a community enterprise (details supplied) is eligible to apply for the newly launched new solar photovoltaic grants for businesses, public organisations and community groups; if so, the category the organisation should apply under; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48645/22]

Energy Prices

Michael Ring

65. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the length of time an application has been with his Department (details supplied); when it is going to be finalised in view of the current energy crisis in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46980/22]

Turbary Rights

Verona Murphy

66. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the channels through which persons with turbary rights can continue to sell turf beyond the end of October 2022; the financial supports that will be made available to self-employed persons whose livelihood is wholly dependent on turf sales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47623/22]

Departmental Bodies

Alan Farrell

67. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details on the resourcing and staffing of the Environmental Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47634/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Alan Farrell

68. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the future of the waste-to-energy sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47635/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Alan Farrell

69. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on whether further subsidies for the waste-to-energy sector will be necessary to facilitate a route to market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47636/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Alan Farrell

70. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the appointment of a regulator for the waste-to-energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47637/22]

Energy Policy

Alan Farrell

71. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the development of a national hydrogen strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47638/22]

Waste Management

Alan Farrell

72. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a recovery levy as it relates to the landfill levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47639/22]

Waste Management

Alan Farrell

73. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the exemption of some waste products under the landfill levy that can be used in energy production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47640/22]

Energy Policy

Seán Haughey

74. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he proposes to introduce a ban on the installation of new oil and gas boilers in existing homes as early as 2025; the way this will work in practice for homeowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47663/22]

Electricity Generation

Michael Ring

75. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to amend the feed-in tariff (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47664/22]

Departmental Schemes

Niall Collins

76. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the grants, if any, that are available for a house (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47684/22]

Departmental Schemes

Denis Naughten

77. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the persons who are living in stone-constructed homes are being refused the warmer homes scheme; the steps he is taking to permit some remediation measures on such homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47687/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

78. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to address the matter of energy suppliers and the extortionate standing charges that in some cases have increased dramatically, given many tens of thousands of smart meters are currently being installed, which should lower any standing charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47693/22]

Energy Policy

Michael Lowry

79. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way persons who require a constant power supply for life-saving home treatments or persons with serious medical conditions or disabilities can obtain guarantees from their energy provider that their homes will not experience electricity blackouts this winter; the measures that are being taken to alleviate these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47714/22]

Electricity Generation

Matt Carthy

80. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of grid connection for farmers intending to take part in the microgeneration support scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47764/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Matt Carthy

81. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications targets that apply to the adoption of solar energy; the targets as they relate to farmers and agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47765/22]

Electricity Generation

Matt Carthy

82. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if groups of farmers are prohibited from bidding jointly in the renewable electricity support scheme; if he has considered modifying such parameters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47766/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Matt Carthy

83. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to conduct a review of legislation with regard to direct line energy connections between renewable energy sources such as on-farm solar to meet local demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47767/22]

Public Sector Pensions

Bríd Smith

84. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of former employees of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs prior to its separation into An Post and Telecom Éireann who can check if their pension contributions yield any pension benefits; if they can recover pension contributions from their years at the State body; and the agency and body responsible for the administration of such funds and queries. [47781/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Denis Naughten

85. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the terms and conditions of the new grant scheme for businesses installing solar panels; if businesses are prohibited from installing more than 6 kW of panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47828/22]

Energy Usage

Charles Flanagan

87. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on the European Commission's proposal to incentivise a reduction in electricity demand across the European Union, particularly in the context of large and extra-large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47410/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

88. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on the European Commission's proposal to incentivise a reduction in electricity demand across the European Union, particularly in the context of large and extra-large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47485/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

89. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on the Commission for Regulation of Utilities proposed measures to reduce electricity demand among large and extra-large energy users; his views on whether an incentivised reduction model would be more appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47486/22]

Electricity Generation

Michael Healy-Rae

90. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if grants are available for the purposes of buying a generator for domestic use in the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47363/22]

Energy Usage

Charles Flanagan

91. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on whether the European Commission's proposed regulation to incentivise a reduction in electricity demand contrasts with the approach of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in its proposed measures to reduce electricity demand among large and extra-large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47405/22]

Energy Usage

Charles Flanagan

92. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on whether the Commission for Regulation of Utilities should revise its proposals to impose a tariff system among consumers, particularly in the context of large and extra-large energy users, in view of the publication of the European Commission's proposed regulation to incentivise a reduction in electricity demand. [47406/22]

Energy Prices

Charles Flanagan

93. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he or his Department has had further interaction with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities since its publication of proposed measures to tackle rising electricity costs; if he expects these proposals to be implemented on 1 October 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47407/22]

Emergency Planning

Charles Flanagan

94. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the Project Dara war-game preparedness exercises for emergency energy shortages that were recently carried out; if his Department intends to carry out further exercises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47408/22]

Energy Usage

Charles Flanagan

95. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on the proposed measures of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to reduce electricity demand among large and extra-large energy users and small and medium enterprises; his views on whether an incentivised reduction model would be more appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47411/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

96. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 20 September 2022, if a response will issue directly on the question submitted in respect of full-time mobile home residents who have been very unfairly treated with regard to access to the previous energy rebates and possible future rebates. [47441/22]

Energy Prices

Mattie McGrath

97. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he is taking to immediately introduce legislation to prevent increases in standing charges and the rising cost of electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47444/22]

Energy Policy

Michael Lowry

98. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on whether it is appropriate and justified for an energy provider, such as in the case of a company (details supplied), to be allowed to exit the electricity and gas supply market with only ten working days' notice to the Commissioner for Regulation of Utilities and to the customers of the company; if he will seek to have this notification from the company extended by the Commissioner for Regulation of Utilities to 1 November 2022 in order to give customers who are impacted by the exit of the company additional time to find a new supplier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47452/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

99. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on whether the European Commission's proposed regulation to incentivise a reduction in electricity demand contrasts sharply with the approach of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in its proposed measures to reduce electricity demand among large and extra-large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47488/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

100. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on whether the Commission for Regulation of Utilities should revise its proposals to impose a tariff system among consumers, particularly in the context of large and extra-large energy users, given the publication of the European Commission's proposed regulation to incentivise a reduction in electricity demand. [47489/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

101. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if he or his Department has had further interaction with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities since its publication of proposed measures to tackle rising electricity costs; if he expects these proposals to be implemented on 1 October 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47490/22]

Emergency Planning

John Paul Phelan

102. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the Project Dara war-game preparedness exercises for emergency energy shortages that were recently carried out; if his Department intends to carry out any further exercises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47491/22]

National Broadband Plan

Alan Farrell

103. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes in the Dublin Fingal constituency that are awaiting connection to appropriate broadband under the National Broadband Ireland roll-out plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47548/22]

Energy Policy

Alan Farrell

104. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes in the Dublin Fingal constituency that have had smart meters installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47549/22]

Energy Prices

Brendan Griffin

105. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47567/22]

Enterprise Support Services

Violet-Anne Wynne

26. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Government will be prepared to target subsidies to help compensate businesses for loss of operations in the extreme circumstance of energy blackouts; if not, if the Government will intervene in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46746/22]

Energy Prices

Violet-Anne Wynne

27. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will explore the possibility of decoupling the price paid to renewable energy and other suppliers from that of the increasing wholesale price of gas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46747/22]

Tax Code

Violet-Anne Wynne

28. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a windfall tax on energy suppliers will be introduced in the short-term; if this tax will be linked to the profits derived from energy sources other than the costs associated with wholesale gas purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46748/22]

EU Funding

Violet-Anne Wynne

29. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that he will ensure that Ireland will receive enough to supplement the national effort to address the pressing issue of energy costs as the European Union introduces community-wide supports, policies and initiatives that lessen the impact of the energy crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46751/22]

Fuel Sales

Carol Nolan

30. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the ban on the commercial sale of turf will come into effect; the other fuel types that will be affected by the proposed ban; if commercial operators will be allowed a grace period beyond the date of the ban; the penalties that commercial operators will incur if they continue to sell beyond the ban date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46578/22]

Energy Prices

Bríd Smith

31. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to gas prices paid by some residents connected to district heating systems that seem to have risen by disproportionate amounts in recent months, even compared to the general trend; if his Department will examine this; if district heat schemes are covered by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities guidelines and regulations in relation to customers having energy supplies cut-off for non-payment et cetera; if the CRU has any role in the price setting et cetera of such DHSs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46588/22]

Illegal Dumping

Denise Mitchell

32. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that funds are made available as requested by Dublin City Council to tackle the illegal dump at a location (details supplied). [46592/22]

Energy Prices

Michael Fitzmaurice

33. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that rural customers should pay a higher standing-charge than urban users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46599/22]

Energy Conservation

Catherine Connolly

34. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the National Retrofit Steering Group, pursuant to the National Retrofit Plan; the membership of the group; the number of times that it has met to date; the dates of the meetings; the terms of reference of the group; if minutes are taken in respect of the meetings of the group; if so, if they are published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46683/22]

Energy Conservation

Catherine Connolly

35. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland scheme, of the number of homes upgraded to a B2 BER or better to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46684/22]

Energy Conservation

Catherine Connolly

36. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of the progress to date on achieving the target of 500,000 homes retrofitted to a BER of B2 cost optimal or carbon equivalent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46685/22]

Departmental Data

Catherine Connolly

37. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of heat pumps installed in existing premises in each of the years from 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46686/22]

Energy Prices

Gino Kenny

38. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of energy users who will have submitted gas and electricity meter readings for August and September 2022 and who are concerned that they will be subjected to the 30% plus price increase rates for the remainder of the month and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46694/22]

Energy Prices

Violet-Anne Wynne

39. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider a price cap to be implemented whereby Government agrees to subsidise energy costs above a certain cap limit in order to give some stability and certainty to businesses and consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46723/22]

Energy Policy

Violet-Anne Wynne

40. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide clarity on the Government’s approach to national energy policy and security of supply over the winter period; the steps that he will take to alleviate the impact of huge energy price increases on homes, farms and businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46725/22]

Energy Production

Violet-Anne Wynne

41. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Government will improve the procedures, systems and supports that are in place to enable businesses to sell surplus energy supplies back to the national grid (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46727/22]

Energy Conservation

Violet-Anne Wynne

42. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered a comprehensive national education and awareness campaign related to energy conservation and efficiency aimed at both the residential and business sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46729/22]